News

Isabella Fiske and Ann Arnold have announced the launch of the Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation.

The sisters, both Livingston High School graduates, created the Foundation to honor their father, Mark Schonwetter, a resident of Livingston for over 45 years.

Schonwetter frequently speaks to students about his journey of survival as a young Jewish boy in Poland during the Holocaust. He, his mother and sister survived by hiding in the forests and in the homes of Polish families who aided and rescued Jews.

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“A Day On, Not a Day Off:”

The Livingston Committee for Diversity and Inclusion (LCDI) has invited residents to be a part of this year’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 20. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Livingston Senior/Community Center, 204 Hillside Avenue (lower level).

Various donations will be accepted: the Livingston Home/School Associations and Parent-Teacher Associations will collect new school supplies; the West Essex YMCA will collect fleece blankets for seniors; the Livingston Lions’ Club will collect eye glasses (and provide vision screenings); and residents Charlotte and Jasmine Heilpern will collect donated items for the Livingston Animal Shelter.

Editor’s Note: This week, Jeff Friedman, founder and director of Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI), in his own words, thanks those who have donated coats to LPI’s annual coat drive, and encourages other residents to “dig deep” and donate coats and winter items they are no longer using.
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By Jeff Friedman
Last weekend’s balmy temperatures were a nice break from the cold for most of us, particularly those living out on the streets or below the poverty line without a source of heat. The freezing temperatures are back in a big way, dipping into the 20s at night. It’s a weather change that’s exciting for those who enjoy brisk winter temperatures, but unfortunate for the homeless, who are shivering, just minutes away from our warm homes in Livingston.

Michael Barisone pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges at an arraignment in Morris County Superior Court on Monday, January 6.

He is accused of shooting Lauren Kanarek, a former Livingston resident and 1998 graduate of Livingston High School, twice in the chest, and attempting to shoot her fiancé, Robert Goodwin, on August 7. He had previously pleaded not guilty after being charged in August.

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In solidarity with 25,000 people in New York City and countless others nationwide, hundreds of Livingston residents marched down South Livingston Avenue on Sunday, January 5, to rally against hate and anti-Semitism.

Signs that read “Peace” and “No Hate, No Fear,” were held by residents as they were escorted by Livingston Police officers down the roadway, from Mt. Pleasant Avenue to the Livingston Oval. The march was organized by residents Brandon and Claudia Minde and took place at the same time as thousands marched across the Brooklyn Bridge less than two dozen miles away. The solidarity march is in response to the recent rise in anti-Semitic crimes.

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As is tradition in town, the Livingston Township Council held its annual organizational meeting on the morning of New Year’s Day. The meeting, held at the Senior/Community Center, appointed hundreds of volunteers to the township’s various committees and boards. The 2020 mayor and deputy mayor were also selected in front of hundreds of residents, elected officials, township employees, and committee volunteers in attendance.

Rudy Fernandez was unanimously voted by the Council as the next mayor, and Shawn Klein was unanimously selected as deputy mayor. This will be the third time Fernandez will serve as mayor of Livingston. The longest tenured councilman, it was his 12th organizational meeting.

Seth Cohen and Samantha Messer Installed:

Seth Cohen and Samantha Messer were sworn in at the Board of Education’s reorganization meeting on Tuesday, January 7. Messer was installed for a second term, and Cohen for his first term.

At the meeting, the district provided officially certified results of the November 5 election: Messer received 2,369 votes; Cohen 2,206; Sasha Pailet Koff, 1,854; and Alyse Berger Heilpern, 1,837.

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Abigail Rose Gaston, born Thursday, January 2, to Inna and Shawn Gaston of 25 Scarsdale Drive, is the winner of the West Essex Tribune’s 62nd annual First Baby Contest.

Abigail Rose was born at 7:03 p.m. on January 2 at Morristown Medical Center. She weighed eight pounds, seven ounces at birth, and is the Gastons’ third child. She joins two brothers, Ryan, age 3½, and Jasper, age 16 months.

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HCHY HONORS MEMBER: Helen Flores, executive director of the West Essex YMCA and founding member of HCHY(Healthy Community HealthyYouth), was honored forhercontribution to the community by the group on Monday, December 30. Flores retired from her job at the YMCA at the end of the year. Shown here, Chitra Maridi presents Flores with flowers. NBD Photo

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MENORAH LIGHTING AT CAMUSO DISPLAY: Rabbi David Vaisberg, above, of Temple B’naiAbraham led a ceremonial menorah lighting at the Camuso Holiday Display at Memorial Park on Monday evening, December 23. At right Libby , Heller and Meyer Gottlieb attended the ceremony.The display remained open to the public until New Year’s Day. MCA Photos

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